JACK MA

Ma Yun, known professionally as Jack Ma, is one of the successful entrepreneur and the founder and executive chairman of Alibaba Group. He is one of China’s richest men, as well as one of the wealthiest people in Asia. Ma is one of the world’s most powerful people, and has been a global inspirer and role model to many. Beyond the economic success, Jack Ma is an exemplary figure that embodies the pesona of a responsive and responsible leader. He also known for an extraordinary personality in both his leadership style and his beliefs.

Jack Ma, Annual Meeting of the New Champions Tianjin.

Source: Google

In 1995, Ma went to US to learn about Internet. He started to create a website and realized that the internet had something great to offer. He began building websites for Chinese companies with the help of friends in the US. In 1999, he quit and returned to China with his team to found Ali baba, a China-based business-to-business marketplace site in his apartment with a group of friends.

What are some of the takeaways from Ma?

1.    He lead his business with an enlightened mind

Ma hopes to make positive changes in his life. His passion to help people and the society is reflected in Alibaba’s policies which is they offer stock options to employees and are concerned about improving the lives of employees who grow with the company. When it comes to his wealth, Ma disagreed with the title of “being a rich person.”

“Today, making money is very simple. But making sustainable money while being responsible to the society and improving the world is very difficult.”

Jack Ma at 2007 China Trust Global Leaders Forum

Source: Wikipedia

2.    He believes in the empowerment of future generations

Ma has helped the younger generation. Before the booming growth of Alibaba, he was distributing equity to the high school students who worked for him. He believed that the younger generation that been taught well can make a bright future. Instead of seeing wealth as a form of affluence, he utilises it as resources for him to nurture the younger generation.

Source: Google

3.    He faces criticism with grace

In one of the interview, Ma explained that the failure is one of the motivation to be on top. He said, “If you don’t give up, you still have a chance. Giving up is the greatest failure.” His business model may have helped to differentiate Ali baba, but his tenacity played a huge role in driving his success. He also explained that having crazy ideas and think out of the box allows him to see differently.

Source: Google

4.    He keeps an eye on circumventing unethical business practices

Ma also said that in the past 70 years, he is the leader of anti-piracy. To prevent further incident, Ma explained that they could trace the origins of the fake products from their database and deliver the information to the police. He recognises that fighting counterfeit products is a war against greed. It is not an easy fight.

“When you have one million dollars, that is your money. When you have 20 million dollars, you start to have problems (inflation, investment concerns). When you have one billion dollars, that is not your money. That is the trust that society gives to you, they believe that you can manage the money.”

Source: Google

In conclusion, Ma is the one of the most enlightened entrepreneurs to date for thinking beyond the significant profit in his business. His embodiment of the responsive and responsible leadership is indeed inspiring.